The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, explained on Tuesday 2 June that the EU is “shocked” and “appalled” by the death of George Floyd, a black American suffocated by a white policeman who knelt on his neck for several minutes on 25 May in Minneapolis.
Since then, demonstrations have been growing throughout the country, as well as in Europe, to denounce both his death and racism.
Borrell told the media that the police officer’s actions were an “abuse of power” and that such abuses must be denounced and fought in the United States and elsewhere. “Most societies need to remain vigilant against excess use of force and ensure that such incidents are addressed effectively and in full respect of the rule of law and human rights”, he added.
While supporting the right to demonstrate peacefully, the High Representative called for calm. “We condemn violence and racism of any kind”, he said. Borrell said he is confident in Americans’ ability to come together, present themselves as a nation, and address the issue of racism. “All lives matter, black lives also matter”, he insisted.
Mr Borrell opposed to Russia’s return to the G7/G8
Asked about the United States’ willingness to invite Russia to the G7, Borrell said that in the current circumstances it was difficult to believe that it would be possible to move back to a G8 format. Russia was suspended from the G8, now G7, because of its actions towards Ukraine. The High Representative recalled that issuing invitations to guests is the G7 presidency’s prerogative, but that this does not extend to changing the forum’s composition or format on a permanent basis. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)